Valerie Dreuil Alridge v. Greenbrier Hospital, LLC and its employees Office of the St. Tammany Parish Coroner Charles Preston, MD, in his capacity as St. Tammany Parish Coroner

STATE OF LOUISIANA

COURT OF APPEAL

FIRST CIRCUIT

NO. 2023 CA 0526

VALERIE DREUIL ALDRIDGE

VERSUS

GREENBRIER HOSPITAL, L.L.C., OFFICE OF THE ST. TAMMANY
PARISH CORONER, CHARLES PRESTON, M.D., IN HIS CAPACITY AS
THE ST. TAMMANY PARISH CORONER, KELA BICKHAM D.N.P.,
LO JOSE RODRIGUEZ, M.D., AND BALMINDER S. MANGAT, M.D.

Judgment Rendered: MAR 13 2024

Appealed from the
22nd Judicial District Court
In and for the Parish of St. Tammany
State of Louisiana
Docket No. 2017- 13881
The Honorable Vincent J. Lobello, Judge Presiding

Sara G. Ford Counsel for Plaintiff/Appellant,
Marc D. Winsberg Valerie Dreuil Aldridge
Robin Penzato Arnold
New Orleans, Louisiana

Raymond R. Egan III Counsel for Defendants/ Appellees,
Metairie, Louisiana Kela Bickham, D.N. P., Jose
Rodriguez, M.D., Balminder S.
Mangat, M.D., in his individual

capacity

Carl E. Hellmers III Counsel for Defendants/Appellees,
Joshua J. Spencer St. Tammany Parish Coroner' s
Max L. Schellenberg Office through its Coroner, Dr.
D. Burke Stough Charles Preston, individually and
Stephanie D. O' Brien in his capacity as Coroner of St.
New Orleans, Louisiana Tammany Parish, and Dr.
Balminder Mangat

Bryan D. Scofield Counsel for Defendant/ Appellee,
James T. Rivera Greenbrier Hospital, L.L.C.
Jessica L. Wimberley
Lafayette, Louisiana

BEFORE: McCLENDON, HESTER, AND MILLER, JJ.

MILLER, J.

This matter is before us on appeal by plaintiff, Valerie Dreuil Aldridge, from

a judgment of the trial court granting defendants' motions for summary judgment

and dismissing her claims against defendants with prejudice. For the reasons that

follow, we affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand for further proceedings.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Ms. Aldridge instituted this suit for damages against Greenbrier Hospital,

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L.L.C.,' the Office of the St. Tammany Parish Coroner, Dr. Charles Preston, in his

capacity as the St. Tammany Parish Coroner, Deputy Coroner Dr. Balminder S.

Mangat, Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Dr. Kevin G. Erwin, Dr. Jose

Rodriguez, and Doctor of Nurse Practitioner Kela Bickham, alleging that she was

improperly involuntarily committed to Greenbrier as the result of an Order of

Protective Custody (" OPC") issued by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner' s Office at
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the request of her estranged husband, James Aldridge. Ms. Aldridge contended

that in requesting protective custody, Mr. Aldridge alleged that Ms. Aldridge had

ingested 45 Loratabs or Oxycodone within the span of a week; that she was

paranoid, stating that her husband was going to harm her; and that she was

Greenbrier Hospital, L. L.C,, is also referred to as " Greenbrier Behavioral Hospital" in
the record. We will refer to same as " Greenbrier" herein.

The trial court determined that " the Coroner' s Office" lacked the procedural capacity to
be sued and dismissed, with prejudice, all claims against the Office of the Coroner of St.
Tammany Parish pursuant to a peremptory exception raising the objection of no cause of action.

3The matter convened before a Medical Review Panel, which issued an " Opinion and
Reasons" on October 22, 20t9. As to the qualified healthcare provider defendants, the panel
unanimously determined that the evidence did not support a conclusion that Lakeview Regional
Medical Center failed to meet the applicable standard of care; the panel unanimously determined
that DNP Bickham failed to comply with the appropriate standard of care and the conduct
complained of was a factor of the resultant damages; the evidence did not support the conclusion
that Dr. Mangat failed to meet the applicable standard of care; there was a material issue of fact,
not requiring expert opinion, as to the liability of Dr. Rodriguez; and the panel was divided as to
whether Dr. Erwin met the applicable standard of care.
Following the panel' s opinion, Ms. Aldridge filed a third and supplemental petition
naming Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Dr. Erwin, Dr. Rodriguez, DNP Bickham, and Dr.
Mangat as defendants in the suit, Ms. Aldridge subsequently filed a motion to dismiss her claims
against Lakeview Regional Medical Center without prejudice, which was granted by the trial
court.

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anxious, stressed, and experiencing crying spells and extreme anger. Ms. Aldridge

alleged that the OPC indicated that Mr. Aldridge believed her to be a danger to

herself and others and reported the basis for this belief as substance abuse of

Loratab and Oxycodone, paranoid, rapid mood swings, extreme anger outbursts

and anxiety.

On May 5, 2016, the OPC was executed by a St. Tammany Parish Sheriff' s

Deputy who Ms. Aldridge contends involuntarily removed her from her family
home and transported her to Lakeview Regional Medical Center (" LRMC") for

evaluation. Ms. Aldridge alleged that upon arrival to LRMC she underwent a

comprehensive drug screen, which resulted in negative findings for opioids, illicit

drugs, and illegal and/ or non -prescribed medications. She was further evaluated by

Dr. Kevin G. Erwin, whose report indicated that she was not suicidal or

hallucinating and contained no indication that she was a danger to others. Ms.

Aldridge alleged that Dr. Erwin' s report indicated that he contacted her general

physician, Dr. Geraldine Payne, who informed Dr. Erwin that Ms. Aldridge was in

a violent relationship and had been in danger of being hurt by her husband in the

past. However, she alleged that Dr. Erwin insisted that she be placed under a

physician' s emergency commitment (" PEC") primarily due to the " volatile

environment" described by Dr. Payne.

Ms. Aldridge contends that on May 6, 2016, she was admitted to Greenbrier

and remained there until May 9, 2016, despite the fact that at no time did she test

positive for any illegal or nonprescribed medications, nor did any physician make

any substantiated findings that she was a danger to herself or others. Ms. Aldridge

alleged that upon her arrival at Greenbrier she was evaluated and admitted with the

assistance of Greenbrier staff. She alleged that Greenbrier' s " Face Sheet" on her

chart indicated an admitting diagnosis of bipolar disorder, but said diagnosis was

not attributed to or signed by any physician. Ms. Aldridge alleged that she had

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never received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in her entire medical history and that

regardless of this false diagnosis, she was not administered any course of treatment

or medication for this mental illness while at Greenbrier. DNP Bickham conducted

a psychiatric evaluation of Ms. Aldridge on May 6, 2016. Ms. Aldridge alleged

that DNP Bickham' s report indicated that she was cooperative and displayed no

signs of suicidal or homicidal ideation and diagnosed her with acute stress disorder

and generalized anxiety disorder. According to Ms. Aldridge, DNP Bickham' s

report failed to mention any of the allegations in the OPC, which would cause her

to be a danger to herself or others, nor does she mention the admitting diagnosis of

bipolar disorder. Ms. Aldridge contended that, despite the lack of medical findings

necessary to meet the criteria for continued hospitalization, Dr. Rodriguez, DNP

Bickham, and the Greenbrier staff caused her to remain at Greenbrier for three

114
more days " under a false diagnosis spawn[ ed] from a fraudulent OPC.

Ms. Aldridge further alleged that she was examined on May 7, 2016, by

Deputy Coroner, Dr. Mangat. Ms. Aldridge alleged that Dr. Mangat completed a

Coroner' s Emergency Certificate (" CEC") after spending " no more than five

minutes in [ her] presence" before " rubber- stamping her prolonged involuntary

commitment." She contended Dr. Mangat failed to address the medical records

that indicated she had tested negative for any illegal or non -prescribed medications

and that she was not suicidal, causing her to remain at Greenbrier for two more

days. She further contended that the Coroner and his office wrongfully issued the

CEC based on an unsupported allegation and that Dr. Mangat was negligent in

failing to determine her legal status during his assessment where Ms. Aldridge had

twice executed voluntary admissions, which she contends would have barred

in her third supplemental and amending petition, Ms. Aldridge conceded that she signed
voluntary admission forms at LRMC and Greenbrier. However, in her brief on appeal, she
maintains that " at no time did she knowingly or willingly take any actions that she believes

constituted a voluntary admission to Greenbrier."

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involuntary admission. On May 9, 2016, Ms. Aldridge was seen by Dr. Rodriguez,

who ultimately discharged her that afternoon.

Ms. Aldridge contended that her involuntary commitment was based on a

false diagnosis of bipolar disorder, which was unrelated to any of Dr. Erwin' s

findings or the OPC' s allegations of extreme substance abuse and being a danger to

herself and others. She further alleged that the gross misconduct of Greenbrier, its

employees, and the Coroner medical providers who admitted her under this false

diagnosis, wholly disregarding the negative results of the comprehensive drug

screen taken at LRMC, caused her to remain there over three days resulting in

irreparable injury.

At the time of her commitment, Ms. Aldridge, who is a licensed registered

nurse, owned and operated a furniture and interior design business. She alleged

that as a result of her improper commitment and confinement, she lost significant

time from the operation of her business, her nursing license renewal was placed at

risk, and her children were placed at risk while in the care of her " estranged and

abusive" husband. Ms. Aldridge thus sought damages for mental suffering,

medical expenses, lost wages and/ or income, and all other damages allowed by

law.

Dr. Erwin filed a motion for summary judgment contending that Ms.

Aldridge could not meet her evidentiary burden under Louisiana' s Behavioral

Health Law, codified as La. R.S. 28. 1, et seq., of establishing that Dr. Erwin

breached the emergency standard of care and acted with willful or wanton

negligence or gross misconduct, which proximately caused her injuries. The trial

court granted the motion for summary judgment and dismissed Ms. Aldridge' s

claims against Dr. Erwin with prejudice. Motions for summary judgment were

subsequently filed by the remaining defendants.

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On July 28, 2022, Greenbrier filed a motion for summary judgment

contending that Ms. Aldridge' s claims against it should be dismissed because Ms.

Aldridge failed to establish that Greenbrier breached the applicable standards of

care and was grossly negligent, and that Greenbrier is not vicariously liable for any

alleged acts or omissions of DNP Bickham or Dr. Rodriguez. In support of its

motion, Greenbrier attached: ( 1) Ms. Aldridge' s supplemental discovery responses

to Greenbrier; ( 2) Ms. Aldridge' s supplemental responses to Greenbrier' s requests

for admission, along with the PEC, CEC, Mr. Aldridge' s Request for Protective

Custody, and OPC; ( 3) deposition excerpts of Ms. Aldridge; ( 4) deposition

excerpts of Dr. Erwin; ( 5) the affidavit of Greenbrier Chief Financial Officer,

Janice Adams; and ( 6) the Associate Director Agreement between Greenbrier and

Dr. Rodriguez.

On August 1, 2022, defendants Dr. Preston, individually, and in his capacity

as the St. Tammany Parish Coroner, Dr. Mangat, DNP Bickham, and Dr.

Rodriguez filed a motion for summary judgment contending that Ms. Aldridge was

unable to meet her burden at trial under La. R.S. 9: 2794, La. R.S. 13: 5713( L),5 and

La. R.S. 28. 1, et seq., which require that she establish that the defendants

demonstrated willful or wanton negligence or gross misconduct necessary to

prevail on liability and to further overcome the express immunity provisions

applicable to the Coroner and his employees. In support of their motion, the

defendants attached: ( A) Mr. Aldridge' s Request for Protective Custody; ( B)

LRMC' s PEC; ( C) deposition excerpts of Dr. Erwin; ( D) the PEC; ( E) Greenbrier' s

Initial Intake Assessment & Inquiry Information Form; ( F) the CEG; ( G) Ms.

Aldridge' s Request for Medical Review Panel; ( H) the Medical Review Panel

Opinion and Reasons; ( I) discovery propounded to Ms. Aldridge by defendants; ( J)

deposition excerpts of Ms. Aldridge; ( K) the affidavit of DNP Bickham; ( L) a

Louisiana Revised Statute 13: 5713 was amended by La. Acts 2018, No. 621, § 1, which
reenacted Section ( L), pertaining to the Coroner' s immunity from liability, as Section ( 1).

D

Formal Voluntary Admission Form; and ( M) Ms. Aldridge' s supplemental

discovery responses to Greenbrier.

Ms. Aldridge filed an opposition addressing both motions. Therein, Ms.

Aldridge relied on the affidavit of Dr. Sanjay Adhia, an expert in the field of

psychiatry with substantial experience in the field of inpatient psychiatric hospital
settings, who opined that the defendants deviated from the standards of care set

forth in La. R.S. 28: 53, La. R.S. 28: 53. 2, and La. R.S. 28: 63, as applicable to each

defendant. Ms. Aldridge contends that Dr. Adhia identified several breaches by

each of the defendants that constitute willful or wanton negligence or gross

misconduct, which create material issues of fact sufficient to preclude the grant of

In support of her opposition, Ms. Aldridge attached: ( 1)
summary judgment.

excerpts of her deposition; ( 2) her records from Greenbrier; ( 3) the curriculum

vitae of Dr. Adhia; (4) the affidavit of Dr. Adhia; ( 5) the affidavit of her brother- in-

law, Frederick Tufts; ( 6) and deposition excerpts of Dr. Erwin.

Greenbrier filed a " rebuttal" memorandum objecting to the affidavits of Dr.

Adhia and. Mr. Tufts.6 Defendants Dr. Mangat, in his individual capacity, DNP

6A the time the motions for summary judgment were submitted and heard, La. C. C. P. art.
966( D)( 2) provided that;

The court may consider only those documents filed in support of or in
opposition to the motion for summary judgment and shall consider any documents
to which no objection is made. Any objection to a document shall be raised in a
timely tiled opposition or reply memorandum. The court shall consider all
objections prior to rendering judgment. The court shall specifically state on the
record or in writing which documents, if any, it held to be inadmissible or
declined to consider.

Article 966 Section ( D)( 2) was subsequently amended and reenacted by La. Acts 2023,
No. 368, § 1, effective August 1, 2023, to provide a procedure for reference to documents

previously filed into the record. See Taylor -Haynes v. Tropicana Entertainment LLC, 2023-
0558 ( La. App. 151 Cir. 11/ 15123), _ So. 3d , 2023 WL 7557872, * 3, n. 3. While the
comments to the article indicate that the amendments to Subparagraph ( D)( 2) include only slight
changes in phraseology, this court has determined that the amendments are substantive and
cannot be applied retroactively. See La. C. C. P. art. 966, Comments 2023, Comment ( f);
Ricketson v. McKenzie, 2023- 0314 ( La. App. 1St Cir. 1014123), _ So. 3d `, —, 2023 WL
7037495, * 4. Accordingly, in the instant matter, we apply the version of La. C. C. P. art. 966 in
effect at the time the motions for summary judgment were submitted and heard.

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Bickham, and Dr. Rodriguez likewise filed a combined reply memorandum and

motion to strike the affidavits of Dr. Adhia and Mr. Tufts.

The motions for summary judgment were set for hearing on November 17,

2022, After hearing the defendants' objections, the trial court determined that the

affidavit of Dr. Adhia contained merely conclusory statements not supported by

any facts or data and further not supported by an application of any standards to

those facts and data. The trial court further determined that the affidavit of Mr.

Tufts was based on hearsay and not based on personal knowledge. The court thus

struck the affidavits finding them not appropriate summary judgment evidence.

The trial court subsequently concluded there were no issues of material fact and

granted the motions for summary judgment.

The trial court signed a judgment on December 5, 2022, sustaining the

defendants' objections and striking the affidavits of Dr. Adhia and Mr. Tufts,

granting the motions for summary judgment, and dismissing Ms. Aldridge' s claims

against the remaining defendants with prejudice. Ms. Aldridge now appeals,

contending that the trial court erred in: ( 1) granting defendants' motions for

summary judgment; and ( 2) sustaining the defendants' objections and striking the

affidavits of Dr. Adhia and Mr. Tufts.

DISCUSSION

Summary Judgment$

The amendments to La. C. G. P. art. 966( D)( 2) by La. Acts 2015, No. 422, § 1, effective
January 1, 2016, specifically removed the motion to strike as a means of raising an objection to a
document offered by an adverse party in support of or in opposition to a motion for summary
judgment. See La. C. C. P. art. 966, Comments —2015, Comment ( k). Thus, although defendants
reply memorandum captions their objection to the affidavits as a " motion to strike," the only
proper procedure to challenge the qualifications of an expert who has prepared an affidavit in
opposition to a motion for summary judgment is pursuant to La. C. C. P. art. 1425, which provides
guidelines and a procedure for determining the admissibility of expert opinion. See Adolph v.
Lighthouse Property Insurance Corporation, 2016- 1275 ( La. App. 1st Cir. 918117), 227 So. 3d
316, 320. Nevertheless, the characterization of a pleading by the litigant is not controlling and
courts have a duty to look through a pleading' s caption to ascertain its substance and do
substantial justice to the parties. Carpenter v. Thomas, 2022- 0872 ( La. App. 1st Cir. 3/ 13/ 23),
362 So. 3d 977, 981. Thus, we will look to the substance of their motion and consider the
objections raised in their reply memorandum as to whether the affidavits should be admitted or
considered as proper summary judgment evidence. See Adolph, 227 So. 3d at 321; CgMenter,
362 So. 3d at 981.

9

A motion for summary judgment is a procedural device used when there is

no genuine issue of material fact for all or part of the relief prayed for by a litigant.

Murphy v. Savannah, 2015- 0991 ( La. 518119), 282 So. 3d 1034, 1038. After an

opportunity for adequate discovery, a motion for summary judgment shall be

granted if the motion, memorandum, and supporting documents show there is no

genuine issue as to material fact and that the mover is entitled to judgment as a

matter of law. La. C. C. P. art. 966( A)(3). The only documents that may be filed in

support of or in opposition to the motion are pleadings, memoranda, affidavits,

depositions, answers to interrogatories, certified medical records, written

stipulations, and admissions. La. C. C. P. art. 966( A)(4). However, the court shall

consider any documents filed in support of or in opposition to the motion

for summary judgment to which no objection is made. See La. C. C. P. art.

966( D)( 2).

The burden of proof on a motion for summary judgment rests with the

mover. La. C. C. P. art. 966( D)( 1). Nevertheless, if the mover will not bear the

burden of proof at trial on the issue that is before the court on the motion

for summary judgment, the mover' s burden on the motion does not require him to

negate all essential elements of the adverse party' s claim, action, or defense, but

rather to point out to the court the absence of factual support for one or more

elements essential to the adverse party' s claim, action, or defense. La. C. C. P. art.

966( D)( 1).

Appellate courts review evidence de novo under the same criteria that

govern the trial court' s determination of whether summary judgment is

appropriate. Leet v. Hospital Service District No. 1 of East Baton Roue Parish,

2018- 1148 ( La. App. 1st Cir. 2/ 28/ 19), 274 So. 3d 583, 587. In ruling on a motion

As previously noted, La. C. C. P. art. 966 was amended and reenacted by La. Acts 2023,
No. 317, § 1 and La. Acts 2023, No. 368, § 1, effective August 1, 2023. However, for purposes of
our review herein, we apply the pre -amendment version of La. C. C.P. art. 966 in effect at the
time the motions for summary judgment were submitted and heard.

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for summary judgment, the court' s role is not to evaluate the weight of the

evidence or to make a credibility determination, but instead to determine whether

or not there is a genuine issue of material fact. Collins v. Franciscan Missionaries

of Our Lady Health System, Inc., 2019- 0577 ( La. App. 1st Cir. 2121120), 298 So. 3d

191, 194, writ denied, 2020- 00480 ( La. 6122120), 297 So. 3d 773. Because it is the

applicable substantive law that determines materiality, whether a particular fact in

dispute is material can only be seen in light of the substantive law applicable to the

case. Chapman v. Haynes, 2022- 0288 ( La. App. 1S` Cir. 9116122), 352 So. 3d 1023,

1027,

Medical Malpractice

To establish a claim for medical malpractice, a plaintiff must prove the

following by a preponderance of the evidence: ( 1) the standard of care applicable

to the defendant; ( 2) the defendant breached that standard of care; and ( 3) there

was a causal connection between the breach and the resulting injury. La. R.S.

9: 2794( A); Schultz v. Guoth, 2010- 0343 ( La. 1119111), 57 So. 3d 1002, 1006.

In motions for summary judgment in the context of medical malpractice, the

burden of proof does not require that the medical care provider disprove medical

malpractice, but only that the medical care provider raise as the basis of its motion

that the plaintiff cannot support his burden of proof at trial to demonstrate medical

malpractice. See Samaha v. Rau, 2007- 1726 ( La. 2126108), 977 So. 2d 880, 887;

Pt

see also Boudreaux v. Mid -Continent Casualty Company_,2005- 2453 ( La. App.

Cir. 1113106), 950 So. 2d 839, 843- 844, writ denied, 2006- 2775 ( La. 1126/ 07), 948

So. 2d 171. Once the medical care provider has made a prima facie showing that

the motion should be granted, then the burden shifts to the plaintiff to produce

factual support sufficient to establish the existence of a genuine issue of material

fact or that the mover is not entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See La. C. C. P.

art. 966( D)( 1); see also Samaha, 977 So. 2d at 887- 888.

10

It is well established that to meet the burden of proof in a medical

malpractice action, the plaintiff generally is required to produce expert medical
1St

testimony. 9 Methvian v. Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, 2022- 0398 ( La. App.

Cir. 1114122), 354 So. 3d 720, 724. The jurisprudence has held that this

requirement of producing expert medical testimony is especially necessary when

the defendant has filed a motion for summary judgment and supported such motion

with expert opinion evidence that the treatment met the applicable standard of care.

Boudreaux, 950 So. 2d at 844.

The opinion of the medical review panel is admissible expert medical

evidence that may be used to support or oppose any subsequent medical

malpractice suit. See La. R. S. 40: 1231. 8( H); Methvian, 354 So. 3d at 724. In the

context of a motion for summary judgment, such evidence may suffice to

constitute a prima facie case that no issues of material fact exist. See In re Medical

Review Complaint by Downing, 2021- 0698 ( La. App. 4th Cir. 5126122), 341 So. 3d

863, 870; Methvian, 354 So. 3d at 724. Once the medical care provider has made

a prima facie showing that the motion should be granted, then the burden shifts to

the plaintiff to produce factual support sufficient to establish the existence of a

genuine issue of material fact or that the mover is not entitled to judgment as a

matter of law. Mariakis v. North Oaks Health System, 2018- 0165 ( La. App. 1 St

Cir. 9/ 21/ 18), 258 So. 3d 88, 94.

Admissibility of Affidavits
Assignment of Error Number Two)

Ms. Aldridge contends on appeal that the trial court erred in sustaining

defendants' objections and finding that the affidavits of Dr. Adhia and Mr. Tufts

Notably, the jurisprudence recognizes limited exceptions to the requirement of expert
testimony in those instances where the claim arises out of an " obviously careless act" from
which a lay person can infer negligence. Pfiffner v. Correa, 94- 0924 ( La. 10/ 17/ 94), 643 So. 2d
1228, 1233- 1234.

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offered in opposition to defendants' motions for summary judgment were not

competent summary judgment evidence.

When an objection to an affidavit in support of or in opposition to a motion

for summary judgment is made in accordance with La. C. C. P. art. 966( D)( 2), the

only issue to be determined is whether that affidavit complies with La. C. C. P. art.
967. Mariakis, 258 So. 3d at 95. Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure article 967( A)

requires that affidavits offered in support or in opposition to a motion for summary

judgment be madeon personal knowledge and show affirmatively that the affiant

is competent to testify to the matters stated therein.

Personal knowledge encompasses only those facts that the affiant saw,

heard, or perceived with his own senses. Schexnaildre v. State Farm Mutual

Automobile Insurance Co., 2015- 0272 ( La. App, 1" Cir. 1119115), 184 So. 3d 108,

116. Portions of affidavits not based on the personal knowledge of the affiant

should not be considered by the trial court in deciding a motion for summary

judgment. Griffin v. Desi nBuild Associates Inc., 2018- 1720 ( La. App. 1st Cir.

5131/ 19), 278 So. 3d 399, 404.

The supporting and opposing affidavits of experts may set forth such

experts' opinions on the facts as would be admissible in evidence under La. C.E.

art. 702 and shall show affirmatively that the affiant is competent to testify to the

matters stated therein. La. C. C. P. art. 967( A). Louisiana Code of Evidence article

702( A) permits an expert to testify in the form of an opinion if (1) the expert' s

scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will help the trier of fact to

understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue; ( 2) the testimony is based

on sufficient facts or data; ( 3) the testimony is the product of reliable principles

and methods; and ( 4) the expert has reliably applied the principles and methods to

the facts of the case. See Thompson v. Center for Pediatric & Adolescent

Medicine L.L.C., 2017- 1088 ( La. App. 1St Cir. 3/ 15/ 18), 244 So. 3d 441, 446, writ

12

denied, 2015- 0583 ( La. 6/ 1118), 243 So. 3d 1062. In a motion for summary

judgment, the reasoning or methodology underlying an expert' s opinion are

relevant only to determine whether the opinions are admissible under La. C. C.P.
art. 967( A) and La. C.E. art. 702. Thornpson, 244 So. 3d at 447, citin Daubert v.

Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc., 509 U. S. 579, 592- 593, 113 S. Ct. 2786, 2796,

125 L.Ed. 2d 469 ( 1993); Freeman v. Fon' s Pest Management, Inc., 2017- 1846 ( La.

2/ 9/ 18), 235 So. 3d 1087, 1089- 1090; Independent Fire Insurance Compgny v.

Sunbeam Corporation, 99- 2181 ( La. 2/ 29100), 755 So. 2d 226, 235.

Affidavits that are devoid of specific underlying facts to support a

conclusion of ultimate " fact" are legally insufficient to defeat summary judgment.

Lewis v. Four Corners Volunteer Fire Department, 2008- 0354 ( La. App. 1St Cir.

9/ 26/ 08), 994 So. 2d 696, 700. Mere conclusory allegations, improbable

inferences, and unsupported speculation will not support a finding of a genuine

issue of material fact. Mariakis, 258 So. 3d at 96. The abuse of discretion

standard applies to the trial court' s ruling on an objection to a document filed in

support of or in opposition to a motion for summary judgment that is raised by a

party in a timely filed opposition or reply memorandum in accordance with La.

C. C. P. art. 966( D)(2). Pottinger v. Price, 2019- 0183 ( La. App. 1St Cir. 10/ 23/ 19),

289 So. 3d 1047, 1053.

Affidavit of Dr. Sanjay Adhia

Ms. Aldridge contends that the trial court erred in striking the expert

affidavit of Dr. Adhia. Ms. Aldridge argues that Dr. Adhia' s affidavit met the

requirements of La. C.C. P. art. 967 by identifying the medical records he reviewed,

setting forth the applicable standard of care, and the facts supporting his expert

opinion that defendants breached the standard of care, committing willful or

wanton negligence or gross misconduct.

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In his three- page affidavit, Dr. Adhia set forth his extensive qualifications as

an expert in the field of psychiatry and inpatient psychiatry, which included his

experience conducting evaluations of patients and managing staff as the attending

psychiatrist at the University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center. Dr.

Adhia attested to his familiarity with the American Psychiatric Association

Practice Guidelines for the Psychiatric Evaluation of Adults as well as his

numerous prior qualifications as an expert witness in this field. Prior to rendering

an opinion herein, Dr. Adhia attested that he reviewed the medical records of Ms.

Aldridge, identified as: VDA- 1- 72, Greenbrier 1- 106, LRMC 1- 102, VDA 73- 109,

and Mandeville Pharmacy 1- 2. Dr. Adhia further attested that he reviewed the

deposition of Ms. Aldridge, the pleadings herein, including the original petition,

the first, second, and third supplemental and amending petitions, as well as the

opinions and reasons of the medical review panel. Dr. Adhia stated that he

reviewed La. R. S. 28: 53 governing admission by emergency certificate, La. R. S.

28: 63 providing the standard of care and for limitation of liability, and La. R.S.

28: 53. 2 governing orders for custody and civil liability resulting therefrom.

Thereafter, Dr. Adhia opined that defendants committed gross negligence,

specifically itemized how the standard of care was breached as to each defendant,

and applied the relevant facts in support of his findings, as follows:

24. It is my opinion as an expert in the field of psychiatry and
inpatient psychiatry that the following Defendants breached the
willful or wanton negligence or gross misconduct' standard of care

summarized as " gross negligence" below) in the following, non -
exhaustive ways:

a. Greenbrier acted with gross negligence in admitting Ms. Aldridge
to its facility under the admitting diagnosis of bipolar disorder, as
she had no medical history, prior diagnosis, or current diagnosis, of
bipolar disorder. Additionally, the relevant medical records, in
terms of subjective and objective elements, are not indicative of
bipolar disorder. There were no FDA -approved medications for
bipolar disorder ( i.e., mood -stabilizer or antipsychotic medication)
prescribed to Ms. Aldridge.

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b. Greenbrier and Kela Bickham, NP, and Jose Rodriguez, MD acted
with gross negligence in its treatment of Ms. Aldridge at its facility
after admitting her under the admitting diagnosis of bipolar
disorder, including but not limited to by administering Remeron to
her, without clinical justification for same, given the risk that
Remeron could trigger a manic episode in those with bipolar
disorder.

c. Greenbrier and Kela Bickham, NP, and Jose Rodriguez, MD acted
with gross negligence in failing to conduct an even minimally
acceptable psychiatric evaluation of Ms. Aldridge upon her
admission to Greenbrier, in light of the APA Practice Guidelines
for the Psychiatric Evaluation of Adults.

d. Kela Bickham, NP and Jose Rodriguez, MD acted with gross
negligence in indicating that Ms. Aldridge was either a danger to
herself or others, such that continuation of her commitment at
Greenbrier was appropriate, without any objective medical

evidence of same.

e. Based on my review of the medical records and the deposition of
Ms. Aldridge, 1 do not believe Ms. Aldridge met criteria for
involuntary or voluntary admission to and/ or continued

hospitalization in an inpatient psychiatric hospital.

f. Balminder Mangat, MD, and by virtue of his employment and role

as a deputy Coroner, Dr. Charles Preston in his capacity as the St.
Tammany Parish Coroner, acted with gross negligence in failing to
conduct an even minimally acceptable evaluation of Ms. Aldridge
prior to executing the CEC.

g. Dr. Charles Preston in his capacity as St. Tammany Parish Coroner
should not have relied exclusively upon the Request for Order of
Protective Custody submitted by Mr. Aldridge in issuing the Order
of Protective Custody, given Mr. Aldridge' s extensive history of
being a subject himself of Orders of Protective Custody.

On review, we find it an abuse of discretion to exclude Dr. Adhia' s affidavit

setting forth his expert opinions at this stage of the litigation. Although defendants

argue Dr. Adhia' s affidavit offers conclusory legal determinations and unsupported

speculation with no evidentiary basis, we disagree. Dr. Adhia' s affidavit clearly

states that the opinions were rendered therein after reviewing the applicable law

and applying the standards set forth in the American Psychiatric Association

Practice Guidelines for the Psychiatric Evaluation of Adults. The affidavit further

outlines the facts supporting his conclusions and details specific actions taken, or

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omitted, by each defendant? We find Dr. Adhia' s expert affidavit sufficient and

competent summary judgment evidence. We further find the exclusion of same at.

the summary judgment stage would improperly usurp the function of the factfinder

at trial, which is to weigh the evidence and expert opinions in order to determine

whether the plaintiff has met her burden of proving causation. See Carpenter v.

Thomas, 2022- 0872 ( La. App. I" Cir. 3113123), 362 So. 3d 977, 985. In so finding,

we note, as our brethren did in Carpenter, that "[ v] igorous cross- examination,

presentation of contrary evidence, and careful instruction on the burden of proof

are the traditional and appropriate means of attacking shaky but admissible

evidence." See Cater enter, 362 So. 3d at 985, citin Daubert, 509 U.S. at 596, 113

S. Ct. at 2798; see also Blair v. Coney, 2019- 00795 ( La. 413/ 20), 340 So. 3d 775,

VOI

Affidavit of Frederick Tufts

Ms. Aldridge contends that the affidavit by her brother- in-law, Mr. Tufts, is

relevant because it " plainly describes a wealth of information made available to Dr.

Preston" that clearly indicated the facts sworn to by Mr. Aldridge in requesting the

0C£ Thompson, 244 So. 3d at 449. In this medical malpractice case, defendant argued
the expert physician' s affidavit, which was not objected to as summary judgment evidence, did
not address all essential elements of plaintiff' s burden of proof, did not identify the standard of
care applicable to a nurse practitioner, and did not confirm that the expert physician was familiar
with that standard of care. In finding the affidavit sufficient to defeat summary judgment, this
court reasoned:

While Dr. Chabon' s affidavit does not specifically state the standard of
care, he did attest that the medical care provided by the defendants to Jessica fell
below the standard of care. Construing all reasonable inferences from this
evidence in favor of the Thompsons, one can reasonably infer that Dr. Chabon is
familiar with the applicable standard of care, and Gaudin breached that standard.
If a party submits expert opinion evidence in opposition to a motion for
summary judgment that would be admissible under Daubert—Foret and the other
applicable evidentiary rules, and is sufficient to allow a reasonable juror to
conclude that the expert' s opinion on a material fact more likely than not is true,
the trial court deny the motion. Independent Fire Insurance
should

Company, 755 So. 2d at 236. Dr. Chabon' s affidavit was admitted into evidence.
Having reviewed that affidavit, we find it sufficient to allow a reasonable juror to
conclude that Gaudin breached the applicable standard of care, and that Jessica
sustained damages therefrom. The evidence thus creates a genuine issue of
material fact precluding summary judgment.

Thompson, 244 So. 3d at 449. ( Footnote omitted.)

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OPC were patently false. Ms. Aldridge contends that Mr. Tufts' affidavit describes

his interactions with Dr. Preston, the Coroner, relative to her involuntary

hospitalization. More specifically, Ms. Aldridge contends that Mr. Tufts conveyed

information about her domestic situation, of which he had personal knowledge.

Although Ms. Aldridge concedes that some of the information attested to was not

personally witnessed by Mr. Tufts, such as her evaluation by the Deputy Coroner,

Dr. Mangat, she maintains that Mr. Tufts clearly had personal knowledge of his

own direct communications with Dr. Preston. Ms. Aldridge contends that the

affidavit establishes that that the Coroner' s office failed to intervene in her

continued involuntary hospitalization despite being presented with facts that

established that the involuntary hospitalization was unwarranted. She further

contends that it is probative of the allegations that the Coroner acted with wanton

or willful negligence or with gross misconduct, and thus it should have been

admitted.

Defendants argue that the trial court properly struck the affidavit based on

their objections that the statements in paragraphs two through six contained various

facts that he " learned" from other sources, which were not based on Mr. Tufts'

personal knowledge; that paragraphs seven through eleven contain inadmissible

hearsay related to a narrative concerning a series of phone calls with the coroner' s

office and Dr. Preston; and that Mr. Tufts had no personal knowledge concerning

Ms. Aldridge' s motives and Dr. Mangat' s examination of Ms. Aldridge necessary

to support the statements made in paragraphs eight ( d), ( g), and ( f). Defendants

thus contend that the affidavit should be stricken in its entirety where it provides

no information to suggest that Ms. Aldridge can establish gross negligence, the

information set forth by Mr. Tufts is largely irrelevant, and that Mr. Tufts attempts

to recount large sections of hearsay and information not based on personal

knowledge.

17

A witness may not testify to matters over which he lacks personal

knowledge; and an affiant is required to " show affirmatively that the affiant is

competent to testify to the matters stated" in the affidavit. La. C. C. P. art. 967. We

have thoroughly reviewed Mr. Tufts' affidavit. To the extent that the assertions in

Mr. Tufts' affidavit were not reasonably based on his personal knowledge, in

particular, paragraphs two through six, we find no abuse of the trial court' s

discretion in finding those portions of the affidavit inadmissible. See Melancon v.

Perkins Rowe Associates, LLC, 2016- 0219 ( La. App. 1st Cir. 12/ 14/ 16), 208 So. 3d

925, 928- 929. We further find no abuse in the trial court' s discretion in finding

paragraph eleven inadmissible as conclusory.

However, to the extent that Mr. Tufts' affidavit addresses the history of Mr.

and Ms. Aldridge' s relationship, of which he had personal knowledge as a family

member, as well as his direct conversations with Dr. Preston, of which Mr. Tufts

also had personal knowledge, we find the trial court abused its discretion in

striking these portions of the affidavit. Whether the statements are accurate is not

to be decided on a motion for summary judgment. The trial court must assume that

all of the affiants are credible. Pacaccio v. Hoover, 2021- 1587 ( La. App. I"' Cir.

812/ 22), 348 So. 3d 81, 86, writ denied, 2022- 01525 ( La. 12/ 6122), 351 So. 3d 367.

As to the relevancy of these statements in Mr. Tufts' affidavit, these portions of the

affidavit focus on Mr. Aldridge' s motive for requesting the protective order and

information that was provided to the coroner, which is at the center of the

litigation.) See La. C. E. art. 401; Pacaccio, 348 So. 3d at 86, citin West v.

Hornsby, 2020- 0871 ( La. App. V Cir, 2/ 25/ 21), 2021 WL 734027, * 4

unpublished).

Mr. Tufts attested that he called Dr. Preston on May 8, 2016, to relay this information.
Dr. Preston advised he would " look into" the matter, and that Ms. Aldridge was released on May
9, 2016, the next day.

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Considering our determination that the trial court abused its discretion in

excluding the expert affidavit of Dr. Adhia, as well as portions of Mr. Tufts'

affidavit, and considering same on our de novo review, we find Ms. Aldridge met

her burden of producing factual support sufficient to establish the existence of a

genuine issue of material fact or that the movers are not entitled to judgment as a

matter of law.

CONCLUSION

Based on the above and foregoing reasons, the portion of the December 5,

2022 judgment of the trial court sustaining defendants' objections and striking the

affidavit of Dr. Adhia is reversed. The portion of the judgment sustaining

defendants' objections and striking the affidavit of Mr. Tufts is affirmed in part

and reversed in part. The portion of the judgment granting defendants' motions for

summary judgment and dismissing all claims against Dr. Charles Preston, in his

capacity as the St. Tammany Parish Coroner, Dr. Balminder S. Mangat, in his

capacity as Deputy Coroner and in his individual capacity, Greenbrier Hospital,

L.L.C., Dr. Jose Rodriguez, and DNP Kela Bickham is reversed. This matter is

remanded to the trial court for further proceedings.

Costs of this appeal in the amount of $ 3, 523. 00 are assessed in equal

portions to defendants, Dr. Charles Preston, in his capacity as the St. Tammany

Parish Coroner, Dr. Balminder S. Mangat, in his capacity as Deputy Coroner and

in his individual capacity, Dr. Jose Rodriguez, DNP Kela Bickham, and Greenbrier

Hospital, L.L.C.

AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED IN PART; REMANDED.

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